Colossians 4:7-18 - Closing Remarks from Colossians

Intro:

Good evening.

Tonight we are going to finish out our study of Colossians.

I hope that you have found this to be an encouraging study, as I certainly have.

There is so much good teaching packed into such a short book, so I have greatly enjoyed going through it.

The title tonight is “Closing Remarks from Colossians,” and we’re looking at verses 7-18.

We’re mainly looking at character studies in this section (Paul mentioning various Christians who were his associates), which I think is always quite interesting.

So let’s see what we can glean from this final section of the book of Colossians.

Text:

Colossians 4:7 NKJV

Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.

Brother Burton Coffman writes of this Tychicus that he “was an Asian (that is, from Asia Minor), perhaps an Ephesian, who went with Paul to Jerusalem with the collection (Acts 2:4ff; 1 Cor. 16:1-4), and was possibly one of those appointed by the various churches to convey the money to the Christians in Jerusalem. He carried the epistle to the Colossians and that of the Ephesians to their destinations, and if … Ephesians was a circular letter, he carried it to other churches as well. .. Paul spoke of this brother in the very highest terms of praise and appreciation.”

Those terms include - “beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord.”

Paul trusted that Tychicus would faithfully carry news to Colossae on how Paul was doing. (The brethren would have wanted to know with great interest how he was holding up under house arrest, much like we follow various missionaries we support with great interest as well).

Colossians 4:8 NKJV

I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,

Not only was Tychicus going to deliver news to Colossae about Paul’s circumstances …

But Tychicus was also going to get to see how Colossae was holding up as well.

He would comfort them in person, something I’m sure Paul wished he could do himself.

Colossians 4:9 NKJV

with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

This Onesimus is also mentioned in the book of Philemon.

He was an escaped slave, and the book of Philemon tells us that Paul was sending him back to Philemon, but the expectation was that Philemon was going to do the right thing in treating Onesimus as a brother in Christ.

Here in Colossians, it is reiterated that Onesimus was to be treated as a faithful and beloved brother in Christ.

Paul says, “he is one of you!” (So make sure and treat him with appropriate kindness and love)!

The saving power of the Gospel rectifies even the most difficult of earthly relationships … when both parties in any given situation conduct themselves as CHRISTIANS.

Colossians 4:10 NKJV

Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),

Aristarchus was a travelling companion of Paul, mentioned in Acts chapters 19-20, including being present when the Ephesians were in a riotous uproar over the teachings of Paul.

(The silversmiths were made that their trade of making idols was in jeopardy!)

Mark the cousin of Barnabas is the famous John Mark that led to a dispute between Barnabas and Paul:

In Acts 13:13, we read that John Mark left Paul at Pamphylia, returning to Jerusalem.

When it came up again about whether or not John Mark should go on Paul’s 2nd missionary journey in Acts 15:36ff, Barnabas and Paul had a strong disagreement over the matter.

Barnabas wanted Mark to go, but Paul did not.

The contention was so sharp between Paul and Barnabas, that they went on their own separate missionary journeys.

But the story doesn’t end there.

Because in 2 Tim. 4:11 we read of Paul calling John Mark “profitable the ministry.”

Philemon 24 mentions Mark again …

And here in Colossians 4:10, we read that Paul tells the Colossians to accept John Mark — It’s as if Paul is having to clear the air a bit regarding John Mark. (And the indication is that there is no longer “bad blood” because him and Paul).

There’s a lesson in there somewhere for all of us! (We need to work out our differences as Christians when we inevitably have them).

Colossians 4:11 NKJV

and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

Perhaps it’s worth mentioning here that Jesus was a fairly common name in the ancient world — This is obviously not Jesus the Christ, but another person bearing the name Jesus …

(Which is the anglicized form of the Greek form of the name “Joshua,” by the way).

Paul says of this former group of names that these are the only Jewish Christians who are his fellow workers in the kingdom of God.

(Paul largely was an apostle to the Gentiles, so it makes sense that there wouldn’t have been a whole lot of Jewish Christians around him).

But notice that he had a cordial relationship with them - “They have proved to be a comfort to me.”

Colossians 4:12 NKJV

Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

Scholars believe that Epaphras was likely the first to preach the gospel in Colossae, and helped establish the congregation in the city.

It is believed that he had consulted with Paul about how to deal with the false doctrine known as the Colossian Heresy (which we talked about in chapter 2 of this study — mainly Gnosticism, the Judaizers, and similar ideologies).

Paul wants the congregation at Colossae to know just how fervently Epaphras their preacher was praying for them! (Again, remember what we mentioned this morning from 1 Samuel 12:23? Samuel considered it a “sin against the Lord” should he cease in praying for the people!

Something for elders, preachers, deacons, and teachers alike certainly to take to heart.

Were the Colossians standing perfect and complete in all the will of God?

Were they walking WORTHY of the Lord, FULLY PLEASING Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God?

That’s what we studied in chapter 1 (v. 10)!

Hopefully they were doing that — But the danger of false doctrine loomed near and jeopardized them.

Hence the fervency of Epaphras’ prayers I’m sure!

Colossians 4:13 NKJV

For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.

A further glimpse into the character of the preacher Epaphras.

Was he also highly involved in starting the congregations at Laodicea and Hierapolis? (Maybe so)

Colossians 4:14 NKJV

Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.

Luke is the famous doctor who wrote the Gospel account bearing his name.

Demas — What do we know about him?

Sadly, he forsook Paul (2 Tim. 4:10), having loved this present world!

Colossians 4:15 NKJV

Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

This shows that the church at Laodicea was in close proximity to the church at Colossae.

We might say they were sister congregations, kind of like us and Madill or McClish or what not.

It’s also interesting to show that there is a Biblical pattern for having congregations meet in houses at times (also Rom. 16:5; Phm. 1:2).

It seems that wasn’t the usual way to do it, but some Christians did and there’s certainly nothing wrong with that.

Colossians 4:16 NKJV

Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

This is what is known as a “circular letter” or a “circular epistle.”

They would take letters from the apostles and read them and apply them to their own congregation and then they would share them with nearby congregations for them to read and apply as well.

Thus, unity of doctrine was emphasized.

They didn’t have the New Testament completely written yet — It was in the PROCESS of being written, and they needed to pass around what epistles they had.

Colossians 4:17 NKJV

And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

Was this Archippus preaching at Colossae now that Epaphras was gone?

Or was he preaching in the surrounding villages and cities?

Or both?

However we view it, the point we need to remember and the point I would do well to remember as a preacher is this — “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may FULFILL it.”

We might say, “Make the MOST of it!”

Colossians 4:18 NKJV

This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Paul signed the letter with his own hand (even if he might have had a scribal secretary pen the rest of the letter for him), he made sure and put his personal touch of his pen at the end.

There is a final reminder to remember Paul’s chains — (I’m sure a way of asking for prayers one last time).

And then a very typical way to end a letter to Christians — “Grace be with you. Amen.”

Conclusion:

And with that, we’ve concluded our study of the book of Colossians.

I’ve really enjoyed it.

It’s been an encouraging study, a deep study, and a helpful study from a practicality standpoint.

(Give invitation).